# 退避三舍

tuì bì sān shè

Keep well away or yield to avoid conflict

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Withdraw three marching stages

**Register:** Descriptive · literary

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe deliberate avoidance or deference.

Can be humorous; not always physical retreat.

## Understanding the expression

Withdrawing a substantial distance leaves space between opposing sides. Modern usage borrows that idea for avoiding a person, activity, or confrontation rather than fighting over every encounter. Someone may step back out of caution, courtesy, or simple dislike. The phrase can also be humorous when a difficult chore or intimidating skill is mentioned. It describes making room or keeping distance, not necessarily admitting that the other side is right.

## Examples

遇到他发脾气，我就退避三舍。

### Traditional Chinese

遇到他發脾氣，我就退避三舍。

yù dào tā fā pí qi ， wǒ jiù tuì bì sān shè 。

When he loses his temper, I keep well away.

听说要修电路，她退避三舍。

### Traditional Chinese

聽說要修電路，她退避三舍。

tīng shuō yào xiū diàn lù ， tā tuì bì sān shè 。

At the mention of wiring repairs, she backs away.

面对专业棋手，我只好退避三舍。

### Traditional Chinese

面對專業棋手，我只好退避三舍。

miàn duì zhuān yè qí shǒu ， wǒ zhǐ hǎo tuì bì sān shè 。

Faced with an expert chess player, I defer.

她不想争吵，主动退避三舍。

### Traditional Chinese

她不想爭吵，主動退避三舍。

tā bù xiǎng zhēng chǎo ， zhǔ dòng tuì bì sān shè 。

She stepped back deliberately to avoid an argument.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%80%80%E9%81%BF%E4%B8%89%E8%88%8D)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=104&webMd=1&la=0)

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